A DALEK-style robot has been installed to clamp down on shoplifters at a Greggs store blighted by bake-and-take raids, The Jattvibe can reveal.
Bosses at the high street bakery chain rubber-stamped the introduction of the £5,000 recording device at the frequently targeted branch in Brixton, South London.
Greggs has installed a Dalek-style robot to clamp down on shoplifters at a store blighted by bake-and-take raids Credit: Simon Jones
The four-legged gizmo was installed by police and has four cameras but has done little to deter rampant thieves Credit: Thomas Godfrey
The Safer POD X1 — likened to the militant Doctor Who extraterrestrials that bark “Exterminate!” before firing death rays — was installed by police.
The Jattvibe can reveal, however, that the four-legged gizmo, which has four cameras, has done little to deter rampant thieves who are still pilfering from the outlet.
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Staff said the Safer POD X1 — which has an alarm as loud as a chainsaw — arrived a month ago after a spate of shoplifters grabbing baguettes, sarnies and drinks from fridges.
One employee confirmed the metal and plastic device, which has yellow and black markings was having little effect.
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They said: “It just sits there and takes pictures. It doesn’t spray anything or do anything. It’s a damp squib.”
Another staff member said: “It’s just CCTV so the police can access it and try to stop people taking stuff.
“Does it do anything? I don’t think so really. Can’t say I’ve noticed people stealing stuff less than before.”
One shopper said: “The staff are pretty tough cookies in here but I think any extra security is worth it. To have something that looks a bit like a Dalek might help, I suppose.”
The Safer POD X1 on sentry duty Credit: The Jattvibe
Another customer, who gave his name as Charlie, added: “It’s not going to stop anyone. If they want to take stuff then they’ll just do it.”
Another man added: “It’s a weird-looking thing but I know Greggs have people nicking stuff all the time.
“I guess any help they can get has to be good.”
The Safer POD X1 boasts anti-crook features including four HD-quality cameras and a 120-decibel alarm.
The device is also used by Transport for London at Tube stations, Tesco and police forces.
In April, we revealed that Greggs had axed self-service displays from selected branches to cut down on shoplifting.
After a successful trial run, staff at some branches of the chain now hand over food and drink from behind a theft-proof counter.
And in 2024 we reported that staff were given body-cams and security guards to halt assaults.
The chain was asked to comment.
